Michael Mesler
General Information
Professor
Plant Systematics, Pollination Ecology, Pteridology
Phone: (707) 826-3674
Office: Science C 104
Email: mrm1@humboldt.edu
Personal Website: N/A
Academic background
- BA (1970) University of Michigan
- PhD (1975) University of Michigan
Courses
- Plant Taxonomy
- Pollination Biology
- Plant-Animal Interactions
- Pteridology
- Introduction to Graduate Studies
Summary of research
My research interests fall into three sets, reflecting the idiosyncrasies of my development as a biologist: mating biology of ferns; evolutionary consequences of hybridization; and pollination ecology. These days most of my work is centered on the interactions between flowers and pollinators. Recently I have developed a tremendously fun obsession with bees. Northern California is so rich in native plants and bees that I feel like I am in pollination heaven.
Sample publications
- Dilley, J, P Wilson, and MR Mesler. 2000. The radiation of Calochortus: generalist flowers moving through a mosaic of potential pollinators. Oikos 89: 209-222.
- Kentner, E and MR Mesler. 2000. Evidence for natural selection in a fern hybrid zone. American Journal of Botany 87: 1168-1174.
- Mullenniex, A, TM Hardig, and MR Mesler. 1999. Molecular confirmation of hybrid swarms in the fern genus Polystichum (Dryopteridaceae). Systematic Botany 23: 421-426.
- Mesler, MR and KL Lu. 1993. Pollination biology of Asarum hartwegii (Aristolochiaceae): an evaluation of Vogel's mushroom-fly hypothesis. Madrono 40: 117-125.
Graduate students
Current students
Sydney Carothers, Brian Dykstra, Jenny Hutchinson (Ed. Leave), Laura Julian, Heidi Lovig, Kim McFarland, Jade Paget-Seekins, Autumn Reid, Cara Witte
Former students
Tamara Camper, Rosemary Morris, Ellen Tatum